The Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, seeks an independent contractor to serve as guest editor for the Archives of American Art Journal for one year.

 

The Archives of American Art Journal, first published in 1960, is one of the oldest and most respected periodicals in the field.  The journal’s primary mission is to publish scholarship that draws on the important collections of the Archives of American Art. The role of the journal is to raise the visibility of the Archives as an active participant in a scholarly conversation on the subject of American art, and also to encourage a broader public appreciation of the American art world through the unique holdings of the Archives of American Art.

 

The Archives of American Art Journal is published twice a year, in spring and fall.  Each issue includes at least two peer-reviewed articles (approximately 8,000 words each), as well as short texts (approximately 1,500 words each) highlighting new acquisitions, noting discoveries in the Archives’ collections, and exploring special themes. 

 

The guest editor is responsible for short-term (one- to two-year) planning and development of Journal content, including a spring 2016 issue focusing on African American art to complement the opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

 

The guest editor seeks out and reviews journal submissions, both solicited and unsolicited, for innovative scholarship, accuracy, and general quality.  The guest editor works closely with the managing editor and deputy director to oversee procedures for submission and the juried review process; conducts confidential internal and external peer reviews, ensuring a fair and respectful review of submitted manuscripts; and determines appropriate internal and external readers based on the article and the reader’s subject specialties.  He or she advises authors on intellectual aspects of their manuscripts that are in varying stages of preparation to help develop articles for current or future issues of the Journal.  The guest editor works with authors to shape ideas and restructure submissions into focused articles appropriate to the Journal and communicates with authors in any ways that may be necessary during the preparation of each issue.

 

The guest editor, working closely with the managing editor and contract designer (and printer), oversees initial editing, proof reading, and fact checking to meet established deadlines.  

 

The guest editor communicates regularly with the managing editor and networks among peers at conferences and in other appropriate venues to promote the journal and stimulate scholarly interest and contributions. 

 

Knowledge Required

 

·                     Authoritative knowledge in the field of American history or visual culture;

·                     Knowledge of research methodologies, theories, and practice in art history or related humanities discipline;

·                     Demonstrated excellence in editing and writing;

·                     Demonstrated ability to acquire high-quality content; and

·                     Knowledge and familiarity with the publication process and production;

 

 

Period of performance

May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016.

 

Location

It is not necessary that the guest editor be located in Washington, DC.

 

Please send a statement of interest and CV or résumé via email to:

 

Liza Kirwin, deputy director, Archives of American Art, at [log in to unmask] by March 31, 2015.